New aquarium build continues to progress

The team behind the Skegness Aquarium have given an update on the project.

Teen Spirit Ltd had hoped to have the multi-million pound project at the site of the former Panda’s Palace indoor play area completed by April.

This timetable has since slipped, but a spokesman for the firm said, overall, its schedule is running well.

An opening date in June is now in the offing, but this may be brought forward as work progresses.

“We’ve had a brilliant social media response and our website, www.skegness- aquarium.uk, is due to go live on May 10,” said curator Stacy Adams.

Theming inside the aquarium has now been completed, including inside the largest exhibit, which now has a coral reef, treasure chest and cannon in place.

Construction site manager Peter Kent of K-Net Construction said: “Building an aquarium is an extremely delicate process and we need to make sure construction is perfect, as we are not dealing with just a building, but a whole life-support network.”

The main tank will hold 40,000 litres of water and two storage tanks will hold 40,000 litres each, which will condition the water of the main tank, as well as sub-systems.

A team of more than 50, mostly local contractors are currently busy on site and workmen are building the themed frontage of the aquarium, working alongside aquarium building specialists.

The aquarium staffing team has been recruited and is currently undergoing training, with 25 jobs in total created. The venue is still looking for pirate actors, though.

The zoological team is led by curators Paul Strachan (curator/dive officer) and Stacy Adams (curator/education coordinator).

Both have years of aquarium experience and degrees in marine sciences and are qualified scuba divers.

Paul said: “We’re really excited by the project. We can’t wait to welcome people into our new aquarium and everyone is doing a great job to make this a great attraction for Skegness.”